Morocco is currently grappling with a significant heat wave that has pushed temperatures well above seasonal norms across much of the country. On Thursday, May 21, 2026, inland plains, the Souss region, the southeast, and the Saharan provinces experienced extreme heat, with some areas seeing temperatures 3 to 10 degrees Celsius higher than typical averages for this time of year.
Urban centers also reported notable figures, with Sidi Slimane reaching 42,4°C and Kénitra recording 42°C. Other regions saw similarly high levels, including Nouaceur at 41,6°C and Taroudant at 41°C. Notably, Rabat recorded 40°C, while the coastal city of Casablanca reached 36,4°C, an unusually high temperature for a maritime location.
Did You Know? The intense heat is driven in part by the “effet de foehn,” a meteorological phenomenon where air warms significantly as it descends from the Atlas Mountains toward the Atlantic plains.
Understanding the Meteorological Drivers
This weather pattern is primarily attributed to the expansion of the Saharan thermal minimum toward Morocco. This movement facilitates the arrival of hot, dry air from the Sahara, a phenomenon locally referred to as “chergui.” As these winds encounter the Atlas range and descend, the air undergoes further heating, which exacerbates the conditions in the interior north, the center, and the Souss region.
Beyond the heat, the system is bringing dry, sustained winds that could trigger localized dust storms, particularly in the southeast and parts of the Saharan provinces. The atmospheric configuration is considered a typical feature of the seasonal transition between spring and summer, characterized by the influence of Saharan air masses and the potential for rapid fluctuations between high temperatures and local instability.
Expert Insight: The interplay between strong surface heat and high-altitude perturbations creates a complex forecast. While the heat is the primary concern, the potential for localized storms suggests that the transition period requires heightened awareness, as the landscape remains vulnerable to shifting meteorological conditions.
What to Expect in the Coming Days
Meteorological forecasts indicate that the heat wave is likely to persist through the start of next week, with high temperatures expected to remain in place at least until Wednesday in the interior plains, the Souss, the southeast, and the Saharan provinces. Maximum temperatures are expected to fluctuate between 38 and 43°C in these regions, while the rest of the country may see ranges between 33 and 38°C.
Looking ahead, a gradual decline in temperatures is expected to begin on Wednesday across most of the kingdom. However, conditions may remain relatively warm in the Oriental region, the southeast, and certain Saharan zones. Meanwhile, localized thunderstorms could continue to develop intermittently on the Atlas reliefs, their eastern slopes, and the Oriental region due to the ongoing thermal interaction.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is causing the current heat wave in Morocco?
The heat is primarily driven by the extension of the Saharan thermal minimum toward the country, which brings hot, dry air. This is intensified by the “chergui” winds and the “effet de foehn” as air currents descend from the Atlas Mountains.
Which regions are most affected by these high temperatures?
The most significant impacts are being felt across the inland plains, the Souss region, the southeast, and the Saharan provinces, where temperatures are exceeding seasonal averages by 3 to 10 degrees.
When is the weather expected to cool down?
A gradual decrease in temperatures is forecast to begin on Wednesday for the majority of the country, although some areas such as the Oriental, the southeast, and parts of the Saharan provinces may remain relatively warm.
How do you prepare your home and schedule when faced with such significant shifts in seasonal weather?
